Theory Therapy 91: Beau Mahadev
A hypnotic, shapeshifting production mix from NYC
Theory Therapy 91 is by Beau Mahadev, a New York City–based artist crafting their own mercurial strain of IDM-pop.
Their debut album Subterra, out now on INDEX:Records, brings together collaborators including {iii}, Uza A’amo, Yau Hei ASJ, Ike and DSP. This mix is made up of original, in-progress material – sketches, ideas and unreleased tracks, alongside two remixes from Ike and DSP – offering a glimpse into what’s been taking shape since the album.
Hey Beau. How are you today?
Wonderful! Today is the last day of Chinese New Year, and I live in New York City’s Chinatown, so there have been dragon dances and noisemaking all morning outside my window.
What was the last song you listened to?
My dear friend Uza A’amo (also a collaborator and one of my favorite producers) just dropped a new release on SoundCloud, so I have been listening to that.
Where’s your favourite place to listen to music?
Nothing beats listening alone in a car. It's like a cocoon, the music is all around you, you won’t be interrupted, you can cry, scream, or close your eyes and forget the world.
What’s the best music discovery you’ve made recently?
I recently came back from a trip to India to see family and while I was there I went to Rural’s festival in Goa. It was full of so many incredible sets, but Dr. Nishimura’s really stood out. He took Goa trance, dub, and IDM, cut them into pieces, and reconstructed something totally new. Plus, I was listening to it during sunrise in the jungle.
Tell us a bit about your music background – what was the first album that made a big impression on you and is still a big influence today?
The first album I loved was OK Computer (Radiohead was my desktop background throughout middle school). From there I got into experimental electronic, a lot of 90s artists out of the UK (wow… realizing the UK has influenced me hugely musically). But yeah, Radiohead might have something to do with my love of dark atmosphere and crooning…
What does your current setup look like, and how much does your environment shape what you make?
My setup right now is incredibly lazy, I produce all my music lying down in bed on my laptop (I love bed). When I make music I want to relax and get comfy, it’s a very introverted and intimate process for me.
What does a finished track feel like to you – how do you know it’s done?
During the process of creation I become enraptured by a track, I feel a constant compulsion to work on it, refine it, until suddenly…. I hate it. When I can’t stand to touch it anymore it is finished.
Do you make music for a specific setting, or does the setting reveal itself later?
Over the ten years I have been playing music people have always said my music sounds like being underwater, which I love. Water is representative of emotion, and I do think emotion is the driver in my creative process. I work as a software engineer so I spend a lot of time thinking systematically. When I make music I am not trying to get anywhere, I am just feeling the process and releasing.
Tell us about Subterra, – what does this album represent for you, and how did the INDEX connection come about?
I met INDEX in Denver, where we were booked on the same bill. For a long time I felt like a bit of a misfit in the scene in the states. My music is not high energy enough for raves, it's too vibey for noise shows, too experimental for indie shows, etc. Discovering INDEX was a huge revelation, I fell in love with every release. From the moment we met we knew we wanted to do something together. They were so supportive throughout the entire process of creating Subterra, it certainly wouldn’t exist without them.
The video for ‘Sucker’ is stunning. How did that come together, and what was the experience of bringing that visual world to life?
The concept came to me pretty fully formed, then it was just a matter of tracking down all the props, building the sets, and convincing my friends to be in it. I had a clear vision and I am a perfectionist, so getting all the visual details came easy. I can struggle with being too rigid, it’s also important to relax and open yourself up to possibility, so others helped with that. The concept came directly from emotions I struggle with, it felt very therapeutic to construct my voyeuristic fantasy. I often deliberately isolate myself or make myself into an outsider. I’m a bit obsessed with longing.
Talk us through your Theory Therapy mix – where it came together and what kind of space you were in mentally or musically.
This mix is a set of various track ideas I have been working on since the release of Subterra (and two remixes of tracks off Subterra by Index friends Ike and DSP). The tracks are WIP, two of them are collabs with Sutura Fina out of Barcelona, some will be released, some will be scrapped. I spend a lot of time agonizing about whether to release things, so this set is me pushing myself to share some new work.
Where would you recommend listening to it?
Get comfy, light some candles, maybe have a joint or a glass of wine.
Tell us something exciting that's coming up in your life, music or otherwise.
Today I was hit with a music video concept I am super excited about. Keep an eye out!
Tracklist:
00:00 - 11:00 Beau Mahadev unreleased
11:00 - 17:00 Beau Mahadev - Fears (Ike Remix)
17:00 - 20:00 Beau Mahadev x Saturafina unreleased
20:00 - 28:00 Beau Mahadev unreleased
28:00 - 32:00 Beau Mahadev - Sucker (DSP Remix)